Disposable soda can cover

ABSTRACT

The Disposable Soda Can Cover is manufactured of any suitable material including waxed or coated, food grade, sanitary paper, and is semicircular or a half moon in shape, comprising a semicircular top circumscribed by a ridge which is constructed to receive the top edge or rim of a beverage can and cover the opening of the can.

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/359,052 filed Jul. 6, 2016 of common inventorship and title herewith, which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were set forth in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of beverage container closures, and more specifically to the field of soda can covers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for soda can covers. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,258 to James B. Boyd, September Flick and Otto A. Stein describes a snap on lid for covering opened beverage cans securely enough to contain effervescent gases effectively during storage of the beverages in such a container. The snap on lid includes a collar defining a groove which is downwardly open to receive an upwardly directed edge of the container. A convex dome is located within the area circumscribed by the collar, and a flexible annular portion surrounds the dome portion of the lid and interconnects it with the collar. A skirt depends from the outer side of the collar portion and fits sealingly against the outer surfaces of the container. An upper margin of the skirt has an inner diameter smaller than that of the outer wall of the collar, presenting an inwardly directed lip along the open edge of the groove defined by the collar to engage the bottom of a bead defined at the top of the container and thus aid in retaining the in place on the container. A flat, low, tubular opener extends radially out from the skirt of the lid and has an opening for receiving and manipulating an opening lever of an easy opening beverage can. The lid is molded of resilient plastics material

U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,100 to Ray Eberhart describes a disposable lid which is detachably fastened to the upper marginal lip of a beverage can. The lid overlies the top wall of the can to prevent entry of dirt prior to use of the can.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,362,572 to Denis L. Pell describes a combined sanitary can top cover and can tab opening hook which is molded from plastic or rubber. The can top cover keeps the top of the can sanitary, and the cover has an annular flange that encloses a portion of the can that lies adjacent to the can top so as to keep it sanitary. This permits a person to drink directly from the fluid contents in the opened can when the sanitary cover is removed and the lips of the person contact only that portion of the can that has previously been kept in a sanitary condition by the cover and its flange. The sanitary can top cover is configured to applied readily to a standard can.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a form fitting, disposable, cover to be used on a beverage can that has been opened.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a form fitting, disposable, cover to be used on a beverage, wherein the can has a pull tab opening.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a form fitting, disposable, cover to be used on a beverage can that has been opened, wherein the cover is made from coated paper.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a form fitting, disposable, cover to be used on a beverage can that has been opened, wherein the can contains canned soft drink, juice or beer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a prototypical close up view of the present invention snapped onto the top of an opened beverage soda can and covering the drinking hole in the can.

FIG. 2 is a functional close up view of the present invention showing how easily it snaps on the can or is removed from the can.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Inventions are always a product of vision and creativity whether they are world changing inventions like cars and computers or everyday conveniences like pump hairsprays, cordless tools and resealable soda bottles. New inventions like a cell phone change a person's life style, making communication more convenient and accessible virtually anywhere. Other inventions such as a snow scraper and brush combine two already existing inventions into an improved embodiment, reducing clutter in our lives and making a daily winter chores much easier. Often necessity combined with a little creativity is the underlying motivator for an invention. Most inventions fill a relatively small need or perform a specialized limited function. If that need is shared by a sufficient number of consumers, an invention has a great potential for success. A common challenge shared among soda drinkers is watching a fly, hornet, bee, or wasp land on their soda can and ineffectively trying to shoo away the potential stinger or infectious laden pest.

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the Disposable Soda Can Cover, is a form fitting, disposable cover to be used on a canned soft drink, juice or beer that has been opened. Covering the top side of the can containing the open drinking hole, the Disposable Can Cover keeps insects and debris out of the drink. The present invention prevents contamination of the drink and the possibility of ingesting an insect or becoming stung or bitten by an insect.

The cover can be made of coated paper, plastic or any other suitable material.

Please refer to the drawings. The Disposable Soda Can Cover 10 can be manufactured of any suitable material including waxed or coated, food grade, sanitary paper. The cover 10 is semicircular or a half moon in shape, comprising a semicircular top 12 circumscribed by a ridge 16 which is constructed to receive the top edge or rim 14 of a beverage can. Ridge 16 enables cover 10 to fit snugly and securely around the drinking rim 14 of a beverage can. The lower border 22 extends down from the semicircular top and is cylindrical in shape to snugly fit the side of a beverage can. Lower border 22 terminates in hem 18 of the Disposable Soda Can Cover to prevent injury to a user's fingers or hands and to secure the cover onto the top of the opened can. Lower border 22 extends a short distance below the rim of the can, and is equipped with a lip or flange that effectively snaps the cover into place over the can. The middle 24 of the Can Cover covers the diameter of the can to provide full coverage of the opening 26 of the beverage can. The cover covers the top half of a beverage can by inserting the middle of the cover under the pull tab of the can, as shown in FIG. 1.

The Disposable Soda Can Cover is produced in a wide variety of patterns, colors and design motifs. The Disposable Soda Can Cover can flag themed or printed with starbursts or fireworks images for Fourth of July. The Disposable Soda Can Cover can contain colorful creatures, flowers and cartoon scenes for kids. The Disposable Can Cover can bear celebratory messages such as Happy Birthday, Congratulations, and Welcome Home.

Quickly and simply removed when the user wants to drink, the Disposable Soda Can Cover snaps back on the soda can just as easily and keeps biting and stinging bugs out. After finishing the beverage, the drinker can discard or recycle the Disposable Soda Can Cover along with the soda can. Durably constructed and easy to use, the Disposable Soda Can Cover is extremely effective in preventing insects and debris from landing on or falling into the soda.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 

1. A form fitting, disposable cover to be used on an opened beverage can, comprising: a semicircular or a half moon shape, semicircular top circumscribed by a ridge which ridge is capable of receiving a top edge or rim of a beverage can, further comprising a lower border extending down from the semicircular top and the lower border is cylindrical in shape to snugly fit the side of a beverage can, further wherein lower border terminates in a rolled or folded hem to prevent injury to a user's fingers or hands and secure the cover onto the opened can, further wherein the top covers the diameter of the can to provide full coverage of the opening of the beverage can.
 2. The cover of claim 1 manufactured of waxed or coated, food grade, sanitary paper.
 3. The cover of claim 1 manufactured of plastic or thermoplastic material.
 4. The cover of claim 1 wherein the cover covers the top half of a beverage can by inserting the middle of the cover under the edge of the pull tab of the can.
 5. The cover of claim 1 wherein the can has a pull tab. 